Chapter Nine – The Fragile Barriers
"Well, this is…"
"Unexpected," Marie finished off for Sam.
The group stood at the entrance of Diagon Alley watching the crowds walking around them.
"I think we would do better if I went to buy the groceries and you girls go and buy your new dress robes," Molly said as she looked over the long list she held in her hand.
"Guess that means we can do whatever we want," Ron said happily looking around the crowds.
"Come on," Ginny grabbed Marie's hand and pulled her over to one of the shops.
'Nick.'
Nick looked at him before he walked over to Ginny.
"We'll meet you all at Florish and Blotts," Hermione said before she and Ginny led Marie off into the crowds, followed closely by Nick.
'Be careful!'
Nate saw Marie turn and wink at him before she disappeared with the girls.
He heard Ron snort and mumble something before he and Harry turned to look at him.
"Sam you should go with Mrs Weasley, she'll know where everything is," Nate said to his friend beside him.
"Right," Sam nodded.
"Stay close to me dear," Mrs Weasley said before turning to the boys, "Don't spend all that money."
"I don't think that will be possible," Ron laughed.
"Not his money, yours," Molly turned to look at Nate, "And don't you dare give him one sickle."
Nate nodded his head, which he had learnt was the best way to answer any of Mrs Weasley's questions.
"Wanna get some ice cream?" Harry asked Nate.
Nate simply blinked at him.
Harry simply smiled.
"Trust me, you'll love it."
"Okay," Nate said before following Ron and Harry towards a shop.
Hermione pushed open the door to Madame Malkins and she quickly led Marie over to the new robes section.
Nick began to follow but Ginny stopped him.
"Mind giving me a hand?" Ginny said before dragging him off to the other side of the store.
"Something the matter?" Marie asked when they were alone.
"I was just wondering if you guys had changed your minds about coming to school with us?"
Marie began looking at the robes around her rather than looking at Hermione.
"We start in a few days and it wouldn't be too late for you to start," Hermione led Marie around another rack of clothes before continuing, "I just think you kids should have the opportunity to have a decent education."
"We had an education," Marie replied.
"More than just how to fight drainers and death eaters."
"No," Marie placed a hand on Hermione's arm to stop her, "You taught us."
Hermione was a little taken aback by this statement.
"What did I teach you?"
"Apart from how to control our powers, you taught us charms, runes and even astronomy," Marie listed the classes off on her fingers, "And grandpa taught us defensive magic and potions."
"Ron taught you potions?" Hermione said with surprised before giggling, "I would have loved to have seen that."
"And," Marie looked around the store to make sure they were really alone, "And Sam's parents, the scientists, they taught us about muggles as well, about their history and weapons."
Hermione nodded her head.
"Okay, well it's good that you weren't just taught how to hold a gun…but just think about it. I still think it's important for you to experience school life."
Marie smiled back at her.
"You're so kind," Marie said before hugging Hermione.
Hermione simply laughed awkwardly before hugging her back. She stiffened when she saw who had walked through the door.
"Well, isn't this touching?"
Hermione pulled Marie behind her as Malfoy approached them.
"Oh, excuse me," Nick said as he pushed past Malfoy causing him to trip into some robes, on a rack next to him.
"Why you – "
"Are we done?" Nick questioned ignoring Malfoy.
Hermione and Marie nodded their heads.
"Good because Ginny's just paying for her things now, so we can leave."
He reached out and grabbed Hermione's and Marie's hands before walking towards Ginny, who Hermione could see was standing near the door looking alarmed.
"What did you do to Malfoy?" she questioned as they walked out of the store, "he looked like he wanted to strangle you."
"He was in the way," Nick replied, releasing Hermione's hand but she noticed he continued to hold Marie's hand.
"Oh there's Harry," Ginny said as they weaved their way through the crowds.
"Nate," Marie said before pulling her hand free.
Hermione noticed Nick frown as he watched Marie run over to where Nate sat with the other boys.
Nate stared at the cup in front of him.
"Why would you want to eat 'iced cream'?" he questioned looking at Ron and Harry.
Ron laughed.
"Because it's delicious," Ron said taking a large spoonful of his vanilla ice cream before making a face, "or at least it usually is, ugh, I hate vanilla."
"Then why did you order it?" Harry questioned sipping on his milkshake.
Nate looked up and waved when he saw Marie running over to him.
"Well that was boring," she said taking a seat beside him, "What is this?"
She looked at his cup before looking above them at the large parasol in fascination.
"Oh vanilla," Hermione said taking the spoon Ron offered to her and taking a large spoonful, "Oh yum."
She wiped her mouth on a napkin before looking at Ron.
"Don't you dare tell my parents," she warned him before taking a seat as well.
"That was quick," Harry said looking at Ginny.
"Yeah well we saw Malfoy and thought it best to leave before we vomited all over Madame Malkins robes," she sighed before continuing, "And besides, I was just ordering something, I didn't buy anything today."
"Oh," Nick said walking over and standing next to Ginny, "By the way, what's a 'ball'? I know that it's often used to play sports but why would you need dress robes for a ball?"
Ginny's face turned red and she looked at Hermione in alarm.
"It's a school dance," Harry explained before confusion crossed his face, "But why would you – need – to…" he trailed off and looked away.
"A dance?" Marie repeated, "That sounds nice, can I come."
"You usually need dates for it," Ron explained.
"Why would you need fruits to go?"
Everyone around the table stared at her in confusion.
"No, he means you need to bring a boy along," Nate explained before blushing, "Remember the Yule Brawl?"
"The what?" Hermione said instantly glancing at Ron.
"Oh…" Marie said in realisation, "Well you'll go with me Nate, won't you?"
"You'd have to be a student to go," Hermione said, momentarily forgetting her previous question.
Marie sighed before dropping her head onto Nate's shoulders.
"It's so boring here."
"I'd prefer boring to running for our lives," Nick said crossing his arms, "If you guys are okay, I should go find Sam and help him with the supplies."
"Will you be able to find your way on your own?" Harry questioned him.
"I'll go with him," Ginny said linking her arms, "See you in a few minutes."
Ginny waved at them before they walked off.
Nate saw Harry frown at them as they left.
"Um, what did you mean about the Yule brawl?" Hermione questioned again.
"Oh, don't they have that broom shop here grandpa?"
Ron was a bit startled when Marie addressed him as grandpa but he nodded his head.
"Did you guys want to have a look?"
"Yes, you used to tell us about how you played quiddicth," Marie said excitedly, "You were one of the best Quiddicth Keepers in Hogwarts history."
"Of course he would say that," Hermione said rolling her eyes as they all stood up.
Ron laughed nervously as his face turned red.
"Lead the way, oh master of Quiddicth," Hermione said sarcastically.
Nate and Harry laughed at her expression before they followed Ron down Diagon Alley.
"Okay, tough guy, what was that about?" Ginny said as they continued to walk along the footpath of Diagon Alley.
"I don't know what you're –"
"Oh come on," Ginny cut him off, "I've seen the way you look at Marie – were you two…involved?"
Nick snorted but otherwise continued walking beside her in silence.
"I'm very good at keeping secrets," Ginny said as they stopped momentarily to look at a window display of magical pets.
"It's not exactly a secret that there's only one person Marie ever thinks about, he is her world, her everything, and damn those stupid enough to get between her and what she wants."
"I'm guessing that person is Nathan?" Ginny said pulling him away from the window and towards the book store.
"You guess correct," Nick replied, a sad expression crossing her face, "Took me much longer than you to figure that out."
"Come on," Ginny pulled him over to an empty store and led him inside, "tell me what happened."
Nick took a moment to look around the store, there were boxes lining the walls and he recognised it instantly.
"Ollivanders? I haven't been here in ages."
Ginny gave him a strange look.
"You've been here? But I thought you guys didn't use wands."
"Not anymore," Nick explained, "but I was raised by loyal – I mean purebloods and I was taught how to use a wand."
He began to walk around the empty store and remember the first time he had come into the store.
"So what changed?" Ginny questioned following him.
"The Ministry, that is the Ministry that was created by Voldermort, developed a way to track everyone's wands. The instant you used your wand they would know exactly where you are and worse, they knew exactly who you were – or at least who the owner of the wands was."
"That's why you all use guns," Ginny realised.
"Exactly," Nick said his fingers touching the boxes, "but that was then, I doubt that wizards today possess such knowledge."
He turned to find Ginny smiling at him.
"What?"
Nate stopped near a bookshelf and pulled out the book in front of him.
They had decided to head to Flourish and Blotts to wait for the Nick and Sam. He had heard so many stories about this place from his grandmother that actually being here made his heartache. He could actually imagine her standing exactly where he was right now, looking at the exact same book in his hands. It was surreal, he knew that his grandmother was here but it wasn't the same.
"Hogwarts, a history? It's my fav –"
"Your favourite book," Nate finished off for Hermione when she had stopped beside him.
He saw here smile at him before lifting the book out of his hands. He saw her sniff the pages before she handing it back to him.
"I love the smell of books," she said touching the spines of the books on the shelves lovingly.
"I know," Nate replied, "It's what you missed the most when we were living underground."
He chuckled as a memory resurfaced in his mind.
"What's so funny?" she asked curiously.
"When I was around fourteen or so, we were on a supply trip when you suddenly started running. We all thought you had seen something and instantly followed but when we had surfaced from the underground passageway, we discovered that we were underneath the city library," he turned to look at her, "You cried when you saw the books around you, grandpa called you 'nutters' but he carried every book you took off the shelves."
Hermione felt the familiar warmth spread through her.
"He did, did he?" she said simply, "I'm not surprised. Don't tell him I said this but even if Ron can be insensitive at times, he can be sweet when he wants to be too."
"I already know," Nate replied, "You've told me that more than once."
"Now Hermione, we are only here to get books for school, no 'recreational books', as if there were such a thing," Ron said walking over and leaning against the bookshelf.
"What?" he said when she looked at him, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Nate smiled when Hermione reached over and kissed Ron on the cheek before walking off.
"W-what the hell?" Ron said to no one in particular, a hand going to his cheek as he spoke.
Nate bit back a laugh before he turned back to the books on the shelves.
"Nutters, she is."
That was it for Nate, he instantly bursted out laughing, not caring that Ron was staring at him as though he had just spouted an extra head.
"You're nutters too, must come from her side of the family," Ron said before blushing at his own words.
This only made Nate laugh harder.
Marie stared at the book in her hands.
"Harry Potter, The Boy Who Lived? Um, Harry, what's this?" she questioned.
Harry turned to look at the book in Marie's hands. He groaned before taking the book from her hands.
"Nothing, just ignore that," he said placing it back on the shelf.
"Why not tell her Potter? Impress your little muggle girlfriend by how famous you are."
"You," Marie said in a disgusted tone.
Malfoy simply sneered at her.
"I really wish father would place a formal complaint with the Ministry, we really shouldn't let anybody just come waltzing in here."
"True," Harry replied, "They should start with your Death Eater family."
Malfoy stepped forward and glared at Harry.
"Mark my words Potter, you will get what's coming to you."
"As will you," Marie replied, just as a group of young girls walked into the store.
Malfoy didn't even bother to look at her before turning. He had only taken a few steps before he tripped over the shoes of one of the passing girls, causing him to fall face first into a display. Books fell everywhere, and while the storeowner tried to help Malfoy up, everyone in the store watched laughing, all except Nate.
Harry saw Nate glaring at Marie from across the store, and when he looked at her, she was blushing and walking over to where Nate, Ron and Hermione stood.
He saw Nate shake his head when she approached him.
'I really am staring to wonder if they are telepathic.'
But before he could consider this thought more, Sam walked over to them in concern.
"I can't find anything here," Sam said to Nate.
"Nothing?" Nate replied, "That's strange."
"What do you need?" Hermione questioned.
Sam scratched his head before looking around them. He leaned forward and whispered his answer.
"Computer chips, batteries, cleaning alcohol –"
"You won't find any of that here, you'll have to go to muggle London," Harry said instantly.
Nate bit him lip in concern.
"Sam, is Mrs Weasley done?"
Sam nodded his head in response.
"Okay, we should go home then, we can go some other day."
Nate had began to walk but suddenly stopped. He looked at Sam for a moment before he turned to Hermione.
"Would we be able to go to muggle London today?"
"Sure, but we would just need to get some mu-"
"That's not a problem," Nate replied before Hermione finished her sentence.
Harry raised his eyebrows at this, but his eyes widened when Hermione simply nodded her head at Nate.
"Please lead the way."
Marie paced the living room nervously.
"Please stop, you're going to wear down the carpet," Ron replied.
"I'm sure they're fine, besides Remus is with them," Harry replied.
"That's not the problem," Marie said continuing to pace the room, "It's not safe…I – we need Nate with us."
Ron heard Nick groan from the seat beside the window.
"Enough," Nick said turning to look at Marie, "Nate knows what he's doing and besides I'm here if anything happens."
Marie looked at Nick but didn't stop her pacing.
Ron saw Ginny walk over to Nick and hand him something.
"What's that?" he questioned curiously.
"They're back!" Marie said happily when the green flames erupted in the fire place and Sam and Hermione appeared in front of them followed close by Nate and Remus.
"Evening all," Remus greeted.
"Did you get everything?" Marie questioned.
Nate opened his mouth to speak before he stood frozen. Ron turned to see what he was staring at, but all he saw was Nick and Ginny.
"What – is – that?" Nate said slowly but the anger was clear in his tone.
"I thought I'd get him a gift, he told me all about –"
"I wasn't talking to you."
"Hey," Harry said instantly when Nate spoke to Ginny so rudely.
"I thought it would be a good idea, given the circumstances," Nick replied.
Ron now saw Marie and Sam walking over to stand beside Nate. Sam looked disappointed, while Marie looked like she was going to start crying or throw up, he wasn't sure which.
"I didn't use it," Nick said instantly, "I just thought it'd give us an advantage."
"Get rid of it," Nate ordered.
Nick hesitated for a moment before he placed the box behind his back.
"No," Nick held his head up high as he spoke, "Just because you're all afraid –"
"Lieutenant."
Ron only registered a blur pass him before Marie stood beside Nate again, but this time with the box in her hands.
"Don't!" Nick screamed, "It choose me, I'm supposed to use it."
"What the hell is the matter with you!" Sam screamed back.
"Me? What the hell is the matter with all of you? We can't continue using those guns, there are no freaking drainers here to use it on!"
"Do not test my patience," Nate replied.
"Don't you test mine, mudblood," Nick spat back, "This is why your mother tried to kill you, so fed up with the lot of you. Too blind and too stubborn to admit when you're wrong, too stubborn to admit defeat, and accept change."
Marie gasped and dropped the box onto the floor.
Everyone in the room remained quiet as they watched Nate's reaction.
Nate held his fist to his head and closed his eyes tightly.
"You forget yourself," Nate said after a few deep breathes, "If you want to talk about this rationally then we will do so but you will not refer to my mother again."
Nate took a step forward and stared down Nick.
"Do I make myself clear?" Nate said through clenched teeth.
Nick looked around the room for a minute before his eyes dropped to the floor, he didn't respond but simply nodded his head.
"Marie, get rid of it. Sam start working on the repairs," Nate said before looking at Nick again, "You, you're on night patrol."
"But –"
"Did you say something?" Nate said sternly.
"No."
"No?"
"No, sir," Nick said before saluting Nate and walking out the door.
The instant Nick left Hermione walked over and placed a hand on Nate's arm.
He pushed her away and walked over to the couch before sitting down.
Remus looked as confused as the rest of them but simply made a quiet exit rather than question anyone.
Ron, Harry and Hermione were now alone with Nate and they simply continued to stare at him. He didn't move but sat, hands clenched staring at the fire.
"Did you – "
Hermione suddenly stopped talking, she reached over and squeezed Nate's hand before leading Ron and Harry out of the room.
As soon as they were in the kitchen Harry turned to look at her.
"Okay, what the hell was that?"
Hermione looked at Ron.
"It can't be," Ron answered her unspoken question.
A/N: Thanks for reviewing guys :)
Angel: Eeek, there are so many mistakes in my work that I'm sure no one would vote for me. But thanks anyway :)
ObsessedRHShipper: Thanks for reviewing, and I'm glad you are enjoying the story. PS love the name.
MaNdErS20100: Really? you want them together already? its only chapter eight lol. Have you read my fanfic 'Owner of the Lonely Heart'? Well if you did you'd know that I don't anyone getting too early.
ROONILWAZLIB101: Nice to hear from you again, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter too :)
You'reTheMoon: Thanks for commenting, it really encourages me to write more.
